DFest Recap : Day 1

The first day of DFest 2008 was jam packed with good bands and good times. I did more show bouncing this year than last. At almost every turn, I had a dilemma on which band to see. This is a very good problem to have.

The newest signing to Doghouse / Edmond Records played to a crowd of 300+ in the sweltering hot sun. The City Lives features an up-tempo power pop sound that will be a hit with listeners (“Bad Enough” is a sure-fire hit). And lead singer Chase Kerby will beis a hit with the females, aiming his lyrics straight to their swoons. Members of The Uglysuit and Edison Glass were in attendance, while Edmond Records co-owner Mike Kennerty (of The All-American Rejects) could be seen smiling and bouncing backstage like a proud papa.

I knew very little of Black Swan the week leading up to DFest. On a couple recommendations, I checked out their myspace and fell in love with a couple of their songs. Their super-energetic live show did not disappoint either. Sometimes, you know you’re going to have a good time after the first song — this was one of those shows. Scanning the audience, you saw all smiles from the receptive crowd, which included Ty Kamm of Klipspringer. While I foresee some unfair comparisons to Bloc Party in their future, Black Swan is a true original and an ultimate fun show.

I thought I saw energetic with Black Swan. I had no idea what energetic was until I saw Mayola live. Unbelievable. The stage presence, the crowd interaction, the showmanship are heads and shoulders above most other bands — it simply could not be better. Mayola has really matured as a band in recent years, slowly evolving their sound into this interesting “vaudevillian Built to Spill fronted by a deranged Tom Waits” band. Members of Colourmusic, Hush Hush Commotion, The Non and Taddy Porter, as well as Acoustic Ross and P.D.A. stuck around to enjoy the set.

There’s a lot of well-deserved buzz currently surrounding Touch and Go Records’ newest signing. The band’s smooth sounds exploded into a fury early on, setting the tone for the show. Switching between moments of beauty and moments of ferocity in the sweaty “Home of David Cook”, the band elicited a great reaction from the crowd. It’s reassuring to see the band is really in-tune with one another on stage. Members of Glister, Colourmusic, Mayola, The Stock Market Crash and Rainbows Are Free packed the venue to catch a glimpse of The Uglysuit.

It had been a couple of years since I had seen Mama Sweet, but it was just like old times. The very Oklahoma-sounding band was ever tighter and more polished than I remembered. Their explosive set was led by Aron Holt’s strong vocals and Alan Orebaugh’s outrageous guitar skills. I demand that someone find out why this band isn’t bigger on the red dirt circuit.

Who knew Tulsa was full of so many ravers? The smoke, lazers and dancy-pop from the Austin band turned Tulsa into Dance Party USA. Thousands of people were dancing along with members of Mayola, Crocodile, Black Swan, The Stock Market Crash and Ghosts.

I don’t know if anyone around does classic 50s-style rock and roll better. There’s just a level of musicianship in The Starkweather Boys that isn’t seen in lot of bands. This was the only show of the weekend where I actually saw couples dancing. Members of Glister, Rainbows Are Free, Philip Zoellner and The Oh Johnny! Girls stayed to enjoy the set.

Blake O. leans to the Uncle Kracker / Kid Rock side of rap-rock that some people just love. I’m not one of those people. Different strokes for different folks, right? Let me say this though — is McNellie’s douchebag central or what? Nothing but fauxhawks and drunk girls in summer dresses dancing on chairs, shouting “IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!!” I didn’t stay long.

TSMC put on a good show like always. At this point, there isn’t a lot more you can say about them — if you haven’t seen them live, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Members of El Paso Hot Button, Callupsie, The Romantic Disaster, Unmarked Cars, Glister and Mama Sweet lined the audience.